WILDLIFE VETERINARY INTERNSHIP PROJECT IN SOUTH AFRICA

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Home | Wildlife Veterinary Internship Project in South Africa

Impact:

Wildlife Conservation

Destination:

Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

Duration:

3 Weeks

Fee: From $4,239

Treat and Protect Wildlife as a Wildlife Vet Assistant

Get hands-on, incomparable experience in all facets of wildlife capture and wildlife veterinary procedures in beautiful South Africa. If you wish to learn more about being a wildlife veterinarian while making a positive impact on wildlife conservation, this is definitely the place for you!

This program is designed for people either already qualified as vets, someone that is in the process of becoming a vet (preferably minimum third-year student), or veterinary nurses who are looking to gain hands-on experience in all facets of wildlife capture and veterinary procedures. However, with the right experience, others may be considered.

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Project Highlights

GAIN EXPERIENCEWork alongside wildlife veterinary professionals, receiving theoretical and practical knowledge.
PHARMACOLOGYLearn the fundamentals of darting and drug administration.
WILDLIFE CAPTURELearn to move wildlife with minimal stress and resulting side effects.
CONSERVATION EFFORTSCombat extinction through population management, breeding and genetic diversity.
GAME RESERVE LIVINGLive on a private game reserve with other international students.

WILDLIFE CAPTURE

Learn to move wildlife with minimal stress and resulting side effects.

GAIN EXPERIENCE

Work alongside wildlife veterinary professionals, receiving theoretical and practical knowledge.

PHARMACOLOGY

Learn the fundamentals of darting and drug administration.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Combat extinction through population management, breeding and genetic diversity.

GAME RESERVE LIVING

Live on a private game reserve with other international students.

Project Impact Areas

Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Wildlife Veterinary Internship Project in South Africa

Theoretical Knowledge

During the course, you will delve into theoretical aspects of working with wildlife in South Africa, including legal and ethical considerations for responsible wildlife work, basic animal physiology to understand and care for diverse wildlife species, principles of pharmacology and understanding of stress factors to minimize animal capture-related deaths.

Game Capture Practices

You’ll also dive into the practical aspects of wildlife veterinary work. Utilizing helicopters in wildlife work for capture and management, hands-on experience with restraint tools, applying ancillary treatments to support wildlife health during capture and care as well as best practices for safe capture, handling, and transportation of wild animals and post-capture boma management protocols and procedures for animal recovery and acclimation.

Pharmacology

Learn basic and applied pharmacology, the principles of chemical restraint and how to use drug-injection equipment. Your experience will also include working with dart projectors and practical dart gun training on practice targets.

Project Destination

Discover an extraordinary project set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains, located on South Africa’s coveted Garden Route. This exclusive haven beckons with its unparalleled natural beauty – dramatic coastlines, lush indigenous forests, winding rivers, and a vibrant symphony of wildlife. Explore a world of scenic wonder and temperate tranquility. Immerse yourself in the region’s rich tapestry of adventure, from hiking through ancient forests to kayaking along the sparkling coastline.

The Garden Route is dotted with charming towns, each with its own unique character. Relax in Plettenberg Bay, explore the shops and restaurants of Knysna, or go surfing in Jeffreys Bay.

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Shot of two cute and tall giraffes on Safari in South Africa

Life At Base

Location

The majority of your time on the course will be spent at the farmhouse is based in the Mossel Bay area along the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa. Depending on the season, work can sometimes take us around the Western Cape, and into the Eastern and Northern Cape as well.

Accommodation & Meals

Our farmhouse is based in the Mossel Bay area along the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa. Depending on the season, we work from there and travel around the Western Cape. Sometimes work brings us to the Eastern and Northern Cape as well. Captures take place all over South Africa during our winter months so our accommodation will vary depending on locations. Accommodation away will be in comfortable farmhouses, tents, and lodges with either solar power or electricity.

We serve three meals a day. Meals will either be served on the farm or brought with us depending on our activities.

Breakfast is a self-serve continental breakfast (toast, cereals, muesli, yoghurt, fresh seasonal fruit, juice, tea and coffee). Lunch is typically a mix of sandwiches, wraps, salads, quiches and pasta-salads. We aim to make most of dinner meals over a fire and serve traditional South African meals like braai, bobotie with rice and vegetables, potjiekos (traditional stew) as well as popular hits like lasagne and build-your-own-pizza in our pizza oven.

NB. We do cater for specific dietary requirements (gluten-free, lactose intolerant, vegan, vegetarian etc.) but we there is a R250 per person per week surcharge applicable. Please notify us in advance.

Communication

South Africa has a number of different cellular network providers, for which SIM cards can be purchased from most shops or at any airport. Various packages allow for phone calls and/or data usage. Power and electricity supply can be intermittent in South Africa so do bring your power banks and embrace patience if you encounter an outage.

Flights & Arrivals

Most people arrive in either Cape Town (CPT) or Johannesburg (JNB) Airports on international flights. From there you will get a domestic flight into George airport. Your Sunday arrival date should be the date the project starts and your departure date, the Saturday that the project ends. If you need to arrive earlier or later let us know and we can suggest good backpacker style accommodation and hotels in the area.

Staff

During your wildlife veterinary assistance course, you will be working alongside various capture teams, wildlife professionals and wildlife veterinarians.

Hein Schoeman, the Project Coordinator has dedicated the last 18 years of his career to the wildlife industry. He has countless of captures under his belt and has worked with and treated most African wildlife species. His personal experience and ability to teach and share his knowledge makes him a great asset to the course.

Josephine Skaarup is a highly passionate Danish qualified veterinarian, a January 2022 course alumni, who later began running the course together with Hein. She shares her knowledge and skills openly and together with Hein she mentors and assists to ensure that every student gets the maximum practical exposure.

Safety

At African Impact, our long-term success depends on working to ensure the safety of our volunteers, interns, staff and local communities. With this in mind, we are continually committed to providing high-quality internship opportunities in Africa. We follow the philosophy that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental and top responsibility of ours. From the moment you arrive in South Africa to the end of your adventure, we take the utmost care in ensuring your comfort and safety as you carry out your internship.

Project Gallery

Project FAQs

What does a typical day look like?

No day is the same! Often, we will only know about capture operations and procedures a few days in advance and sometimes we will get a call and must leave in 5 minutes, so it’s fast paced and exciting. We try not to give the students too much information and want to keep it a surprise. Throughout the week we weave in lectures around the practical exercises and game drives.

Will I see wild animals up close?

Yes, both through hands-on experience when carrying out capture operations and treating animals but we also do game drives on local Reserves where you will encounter the majority of South African wildlife!

Can you help with planning weekend activities?

Yes! Usually students enjoy exploring the town of Mossel Bay or towns along the Garden Route. There are several exciting activities that we recommend and we can help facilitate the reservations for Shark Cage diving, diving with Seals, Horseback Riding Safari and more! Upon arrival, the team will talk you through all the options and help you plan.

Do I need any experience or qualifications to participate in this project?

Yes, this program is designed for people either already qualified as vets, someone that is in the process of becoming a vet (preferably minimum third-year student), or veterinary nurses who are looking to gain hands-on experience in all facets of wildlife capture and veterinary procedures. However, with the right experience, other volunteers may be considered.

Our favourite weekend activities along the Garden Route, South Africa

Weekends are usually your time off to explore the surrounding areas and we are more than happy to assist with bookings and inquiries of activities at your own expense or you can relax at the farmhouse. Usually groups enjoy doing activities and weekend excursions together.

Adrenaline junkies paradise

Tsitsikamma National Park

Explore the majestic national park with ancient forests and towering yellowwoods over 800 years old. Hike, kayak the calm Storms River, or experience the ultimate adrenaline rush with a jump off Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge jump!

Ocean time

Whale Watching

Go on a whale watching adventure! Set sail from vibrant coastal towns like Mossel Bay or Plettenberg Bay during the winter months (May to November) and witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of southern right whales and humpback whales migrating along the coast. Southern Right Whales are wonderfully playful and you might get to spot mother and calf swimming together!

Supertubes

Jeffreys Bay

World-renowned for its perfect waves, Jeffreys Bay is a surfer’s paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or want to try your hand at riding the waves, Jeffreys Bay offers exhilarating surf spots like ‘Supertubes’. Feeling adventurous? Sign up for a lesson and learn the basics of surfing or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

PROJECT ENQUIRY
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Project Enquiry

After completing the below project enquiry form, one of our Destination Specialists will get in touch to discuss your volunteer experience and any questions you may have. When you are ready to book, we can send you a booking form or you can book directly from this page too.

Project Booking

Please complete the details below in order for us to provisionally hold a space on your preferred project. A deposit will be required to secure your position. By submitting these details you agree to our Terms and Conditions.

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STEP 1 - Personal Information

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STEP 2 - Project Selection

Provide us some information on when you'd like to join us and how long you want to go for.

When do you want to Volunteer or Intern?

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All participants are required to obtain a Criminal Records Check/Police Clearance Certificate. We can apply for this on your behalf if you have a United States Social Security Number (SSN). The fee is US$50. Would you like to add this to your booking?

STEP 3 - More about you

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STEP 1 - Personal Information

Let's collect some basic information to get started.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Why do you want to apply for this program?

STEP 2 - When do you want to Volunteer or Intern?

Give us an idea of your travel plans, you can also choose ‘I’m not sure yet’ if you aren't sure about your preferred start dates.

Select your start date

STEP 3 - How long do you want to Volunteer or Intern for?

Select your preferred duration. Please note you are not required to pay this amount at this stage.

How long do you want to Volunteer or Intern?

Please tick the box to agree to communicate with us:*

I agree to receiving communication from African Impact

By clicking submit below, you have agreed to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

SMS & WhatsApp Opt-In*

I agree to receiving communication from African Impact

By opting in to SMS and WhatsApp communication, you give consent to receive text messages from African Impact that will assist in booking your placement. You can opt-out at any time by texting STOP.

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PRICE

From $4,239

Start day: Specific start dates

PROJECT FEE INCLUDES

Cottage style accommodation
Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Sun)
Laundry service
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
All project transport, equipment and resources
Support from experienced local and international staff
Full orientation for responsible project contribution

PROJECT FEE EXCLUDES

Price excludes flights, visas, insurance, weekend tours and associated meals, as well as personal expenses.

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS

Veterinary Education is a requirement. Participants need to be students in veterinary, veterinary nursing or technician. Participants are required to take an online course before arriving at the project.

Our minimum age for this project is 18 years of age.

Participants are required to have a moderate fitness level.

DO YOU NEED SUPPORT?

Our experienced African Impact team is here to support you.

ASK US A QUESTION

FAQs

Recent Wildlife Veterinary Volunteer Reviews

“I saw this project as an opportunity to experience African wildlife at a level most tourists would never dream of and I was not disappointed! From the very first day at the game lodge, I was involved in darting and relocating cheetahs and from then on I was involved in feeding and tracking cheetahs, feeding baby caracals, game counts, general maintenance work, and even x-raying a lioness! The program runs Monday to Friday and on the weekends, you are free to travel as you please!”
Natalie JayneWildlife Veterinary Volunteer Project in South Africa, Australia

“Met some wonderful people, learned lots of new skills, and enjoyed the variety of African wildlife I worked with. The accommodation is great and the first-hand experience you get with the animals is astonishing. You are involved in everything and supported by fantastic staff. You feel 100% safe, and everyone is very welcoming. Every day is different and exciting for the volunteers; you can't wait to see what you're going to experience next.”
MicheleWildlife Veterinary Volunteer Project in South Africa, UK